GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS – 3326 SEC.

56M

POLITICS AND BUSINESS - SUMMER 2006

Tuesday and Thursday 6:00-10:00pm
Class Room: ECSS 2.305
Office: GR 3.406
Office Hours” Tues. & Thurs. 5:30-6:00pm and by appointment.
E-Mail: mwilliam@utdallas.edu
Office Phone: 972-883-6436. Leave name, phone no., and course name. This voice
mail is shared with other Lecturers, so be sure to direct the message to me by
name.

Course Objective: This course will investigate both sides of the relationship between
business and government/ politics from contemporary and historic perspectives.
(1) We will consider the role of government, as a regulator and promoter of
commerce, and the impact of these activities on business. This will include theories
advanced to justify government regulation (supplanting market forces) and the
regulatory strategies pursued by government. (2) The latter part of the course will
address the variety of efforts utilized by business and interest groups to influence
government, public policies, elected officials, and politics.

Required Texts:

Eisner, Marc Allen. Regulatory Politics in Transition, 2nd ed. 2000.

Johns Hopkins Univ. Press

Herrnson, Paul S. et.al. The Interest Group Connection, 2nd ed. 2005.
CQ Press.

Derthick, Martha A. Up In Smoke, 2nd ed. 2005. CQ Press.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

1..Class Participation: The student is expected to read, consider, and evaluate the
assignments prior to each class session. We will follow a lecture-discussion format
and provide adequate opportunity for questions, discussion, etc. The lectures will
contain substantial material not found in the readings.
2. Attendance: Attendance will not be taken for grading purposes. However ,
students should be aware that the Mid-Term Exam will contain questions based
upon lecture material not found in the assigned readings. Also, it is each student’s
responsibility to be aware of any information, assignments, handouts, schedule
changes, etc., announced in class. Students should check their email on class days to
determine if weather or other circumstances have necessitated the cancellation of
class.

Students will not be admitted to the class room after 6:15pm or be permitted to
leave before the conclusion of the class unless prior approval is obtained.

3. Classroom Behavior: The classroom provides a learning environment. Conduct

which interferes with learning will not be tolerated. Disruptive behavior will result in
immediate expulsion from the classroom for the remainder of that day’s class.
Repeated violations will result in discipline as provided for in UTD regulations.
Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to: talking without seeking
recognition; reading non-course materials; sleeping; appearing to be sleeping; wearing
headphones; and using laptops for non-note taking purposes.

4. Mid-Term Exam: The exam (July 11, 2006) will consist of essay and short answer
questions. At least one week prior to the exam I will distribute a Study Guide
containing, words, terms, and concepts a student should be familiar with.

5. Take-Home Final Exam: This exam will be distributed in class on July 20, 2006.
The exam will be due in my office on July 31, 2006, between 6:00 and 7:00pm. Of
course, it may be turned in at an earlier time and date.

6. Make-Up Exam: The General Rule is that there will be no make-up exams.
However, if a situation develops where such is a necessity please discuss with me. If
you know in advance, you are required to advise me in advance. If a situation occurs
on the exam date you must leave me a voice mail on that date.

7. Extra Credit: The only extra credit opportunity is discussed in connection with the
Term Paper.

8. Disabilities: Students with disabilities should register with the Office of Disability
Services in the Student Union, 883-2098, SU 1.601. Only that Office can authorize
special arrangements.
9. Academic Dishonesty: UTD policy on academic dishonesty will be rigorously
enforced with regard to papers and exams. See the “Undergraduate Catalogue”.
Plagiarism and exam cheating will result in an automatic “0” for the assignment.

10. Grading: The Mid-Term Exam, Paper, and Final Exam will each be worth a
maximum of 100 points.

A+ = 290-300 C = 220-229
A = 280-289 C- = 210-219
A- = 270-279 D+ = 200-209
B+ = 260-269 D = 190-199
B = 250-259 D- = 180-189
B- = 240-249 F = Below 180
C+ = 230-239

TERM PAPER

1.Each student is required to submit a Term Paper to satisfy 1/3 of the grade.

2. Assignment: The paper will address a contemporary topic on the relationship

between government and business. The topic must be approved by the instructor no
later than July 6, 2006. Unapproved topics will result in a penalty of 30% of the total
possible points.

3. The paper shall be 6 to 8 pages, excluding a required Cover Page, Table of

Contents, and Bibliography. The paper must be typed, double spaced, maximum
margins 1”, and in standard font size (this Syllabus is “standard”). Proper structure,
spelling, and grammar will be considered in grading. Remember: a Bibliography is a
compilation of sources cited in the body of the paper. A minimum of 8 sources
required.

4. If you submit proof that you utilized the UTD Writing Lab you will receive 10
bonus points.

5. Due Date: No later than 6:30pm, July 18, 2006, in class. Papers will not be accepted
after that date and time, unless prior arrangements are made with the instructor.
 COURSE OVERVIEW AND ASSIGNMENTS

The following is a tentative schedule. It is the responsibility of each student to be

aware of changes that might occur from time to time.

JUNE 22 - SYLLABUS AND INTRODUCTION TO

COURSE

JUNE 27 THRU JULY 6 - EISNER CHS. 1 THRU 9 IN THAT

ORDER

JULY 6 - TERM PAPER TOPIC APPROVAL

JULY 11 - MID-TERM EXAM

JULY 13 THRU JULY 27 - HERRNSON AND DERTHICK

(Assigned readings will be distributed later)

JULY 18 - TERM PAPER DUE

JULY 20 - TAKE HOME FINAL EXAM

DISTRIBUTED

JULY 31 - TAKE HOME FINAL DUE

(My office – GR 3.406 – 6:00-7:00pm)